Easiest way to remove Gibson style 3 way switch nut?

[Fusion1]

Want to remove pickguard on my Epi V and that requires removing the nut on the 3 way switch. It has a knurled nut and I prefer not to mar it up using vice grips or pliers. How do people normally remove this safely without having to buy that Gibson specific tool from Stew-Mac?

[the_gunslinger]

Buy a nut driver, or a long socket.

[Dmerge]

Usually, you just need something to grip with, like a rubber jar opener or a dishcloth.

[the_gunslinger]

On second thought, a nut driver wouldn't be long enough to get around the switch. But every man should have a decent set of tools, including spark plug sockets.

[Fusion1]

Not sure spark plug sockets are the right diameter and a rubber pad or dishcloth doesn't budge the nut.

[CoqBelliqueux]

On second thought, a nut driver wouldn't be long enough to get around the switch. But every man should have a decent set of tools, including spark plug sockets.

lol

[the_gunslinger]

Whatever. My point is a long socket of some sort.

[tartanphantom]

There's a special tool for that... If you want to spend the $$ on it..

 

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Wrenches/Adjustable_Toggle_Switch_Wrench.html

 

 

[Alex_SF]

The tool from StewMac is just expensive enough to make me not buy it. If I were a shop, yeah, but just to use it on a couple guitars that very rarely if ever need any maintenance involving that nut seems silly.

 

I use pliers, but with a piece of cloth over the knurled nut to avoid chewing it up -- like the corner of a guitar-wiping rag or whatever's handy.

[MrChitlins]

 

I use pliers, but with a piece of cloth over the knurled nut to avoid chewing it up -- like the corner of a guitar-wiping rag or whatever's handy.

 

 

I use pliers with some duct tape on the jaws. Works great.

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

Good quality pliers with sharp jaws used corrcetly will do that just fine...pliers are only ever damaging if badly used

[CoqBelliqueux]

 

Good quality pliers with sharp jaws used corrcetly will do that just fine...pliers are only ever damaging if badly used

 

 

Which is 85% of the time.

[alphamarquis]

I try loosening them from the underside of the cavity. Usually that little quarter turn is all it takes to get the bad boy loose and hit it from the top.

[CoqBelliqueux]

I try loosening them from the underside of the cavity. Usually that little quarter turn is all it takes to get the bad boy loose and hit it from the top.

He has the pickguarded V.

[alphamarquis]

He has the pickguarded V.

 

Der. Just saw the LP junior and instantly assumed. Can't you unpickguard that bad boy and do the same thing?

[CoqBelliqueux]

Der. Just saw the LP junior and instantly assumed. Can't you unpickguard that bad boy and do the same thing?

I only had a V for a short period of time, but I think the wires are a bit short. Otherwise, I'm as puzzled as you are.

[Fusion1]

Wires are short on my pickguarded V